India’s vice-captain Shreyas Iyer lauded young Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly for his remarkable calmness under pressure after Australia edged out India by 2 wickets in a thrilling second ODI at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday. The victory sealed a 2-0 series win for the hosts, leaving India to rue missed opportunities despite a strong fightback.
Winning the toss, Australia put India in to bat — a decision that paid off early as Josh Hazlewood dismantled the Indian top order, sending Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli back within the first seven overs. At 34 for 2, the visitors were under pressure before Shreyas Iyer (65) and Rohit Sharma (70) stitched a vital 118-run stand for the third wicket.
Shreyas, who looked solid in his shot selection, adapted well to the early movement on offer. Speaking about the partnership, he said,
“It was very crucial. Hazlewood was bowling brilliantly and the ball was seaming in both directions. It wasn’t an easy wicket early on, so we just focused on rotating the strike and building momentum.”
The duo’s partnership provided India with stability, helping them post a competitive 264 for 9. However, late wickets once again derailed India’s momentum in the final overs.
Connolly Leads Australia to Victory
Chasing 265, Australia’s innings was a rollercoaster. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Cooper Connolly stood firm. The left-hander showcased maturity beyond his years, steering the hosts home with an unbeaten 61 off 74 balls, sealing the match in 46.2 overs.
Impressed by the youngster’s composure, Shreyas said,
“It was a superb performance by Australia, especially Cooper. For someone so young to finish the game like that shows great character. I’ve seen him during the India A vs Australia A matches — he’s smart about which bowlers to target and when to take risks. Full credit to him.”
Loss Hard to Digest for India
While the series did not have major championship stakes, Shreyas admitted the defeat hurt.
“It definitely hurts. The first game wasn’t convincing, and rain affected that result. This one was do-or-die for us. Losing early wickets made things tough, and the Aussies bowled with precision. Their use of seam movement early on gave them the edge.”
Despite the loss, India showed fight, with improved batting partnerships and sharper bowling spells, though Connolly’s steady hand proved the difference.
Shreyas also spoke about his new batting stance, which he’s been using throughout this series. The right-hander revealed that he had been experimenting to counter extra bounce and seam in Australian conditions.
“It’s not a complete change — I’ve gone back to my upright stance, which helps when there’s bounce. I worked with my coach on this adjustment. In Mumbai, we face similar wickets with extra bounce, so this technique helps me adapt better. You can’t stick to one stance forever; the wicket often decides how you bat.”
He emphasized adaptability as key to success, saying that modifying technique according to pitch conditions helps him stay versatile across formats.
Shreyas also opened up about his decision to step away from red-ball cricket earlier this year, following his successful runs in the Champions Trophy and IPL.
“When I returned to red-ball cricket, I noticed that after fielding long sessions, my intensity dipped. At the international level, maintaining energy is crucial. So, I decided to take a break and informed the selectors. It was important for me to be honest about where I stand physically and mentally.”
The break, according to him, was necessary to regain focus and freshness for white-ball formats, where he continues to be one of India’s most consistent performers.
Key Takeaways
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Australia defeated India by 2 wickets in Adelaide, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
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Shreyas Iyer (65) and Rohit Sharma (70) built a crucial 118-run partnership.
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Cooper Connolly’s unbeaten 61 guided Australia home, earning praise from Shreyas.
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Iyer highlighted adaptability in his batting stance and explained his red-ball break.
As the series concludes, India will look to regroup and bounce back in the final ODI — a match that, though a dead rubber, offers a chance for redemption and renewed momentum ahead of upcoming assignments.